And another day were he was woken by banging on his door. And god, his head felt horrible. But at least the hangover overshadowed the emptiness inside he still felt.
He opened the door just wearing pants and wiped the sleep out of his face.
Rei pressed herself past him and walked into his room, she had a paper bag with her.
"My god TopGun, it's smells like a distillery in here. What did you drink? Kerosene?"
She turned on the ventilatory and put the bag on his nightstand
.
Good morning beautiful, yes I slept well, at least till you woke me up...
"Go and make yourself presentable. The Royal Couple wants to see you in their quarters ASAP. Move it."
Knowing that resistance was futile he shuffled into the bathroom.
"While you shower I'll see to get you some coffee." She said and went back to the door.
She stopped midway through the door and looked back at the bathroom, considering something.
After a moment she shook her head with a sly grin and walked out.
A few minutes later he walked out the bathroom, he had taken a shower, and pulled out one of his new TF Sol uniforms.
He was fixing his tie when it banged on the door again, Rei was back with a cup of coffee.
"There's also breakfast and something with electrolytes in the bag over there. I thought you need a refreshment before you meet the Royals."
"You're too good to me." He said thankfully and opened the bag pulling out a sandwich and taking a bite.
"Mars is a generous Goddess of War." She replied with a smug grin. "Since you didn't answer me yesterday anymore, I'll ask again. Apart from the hangover, how are you?"
He paused and thought for a moment.
"I'm a bit better, I guess. Apart from my head tho. This stuff here is a lifesaver." He said and took another bite followed by a sip of an electrolyte drink.
"People really liked your show yesterday. I've listened to for a while also. Marvin would have been proud."
Again SunTzu stopped eating for a moment. Mentioning his friend's name still stung.
"Thank you. I hope so."
He stuffed the rest of the food down, emptied the beverage and took on his uniform jacket.
"Let's go, can't let Royalty wait."
And off they went.
The Royal chambers were one floor above them and Rein handed him his coffee, which he greedily chugged down, a look at his chrono told him it was almost 10:30am.
"Oh, Ambrosia." He told and they both shared a smile.
"Next time you get shitfaced with Haruka try to be a bit more quiet. I was afraid that you were actually falling into my room as loud as you where when you went to yours." She scoffed him.
"Sorry, i had a bit problems standing right. But hey, the Whisky was great and we had reasons to drink."
"I get that but next time you two confess your love for each other, do it in a volume that the whole ship doesn't hear it also."
"Hey, ain't no wrong with a little bit of love confessions between a sister from another mister and her brother from another mother. That's at least, if I have one."
Most probably. But you probably have to ask someone on Kamino about that.
They arrived at the deck above them and Rei went to a large door, where the Moon Crest was beautifully enthroned above and two Royal Guardsmen stood watch.
He drank the rest of his coffee and put the paper cup in a nearby trash bin, waste separation of course. While wage war for a better galaxy when you don't care about the environment also.
Rei opened the door and the stepped inside, into a bit living room with a big sofa and some armchairs around a table.
Mamoru and Usagi where sitting there, apparently having a tea.
"Your Majesties!" Rei did a curtsy. "The Lieutenant as you wished for."
"Thank you Rei." The King said.
"Was that more according to protocol now?"
Mamoru nodded surprised.
"Yes."
"Good! Then I'm out. Deuces!"
Looks like the King gets his fair share of Diplomat Hino's Ego too.
Mars nodded to Usagi and SunTzu and walked out the door again.
The three present people's gaze followed her outside.
"Classic Rei." Usagi told to her Husband and frowned.
"Yup." He agreed and both heads swung over to SunTzu.
"SunTzu, glad you were able to come up here. We heard you had a longer night after your radio show." Mamoru greeted him while Usagi giggled.
"It was, me and Pilot Tenou needed to let off some steam." He told. "You sent for me?"
"If letting Mars kick you out of bed while sleeping out your inebriation and drag you here, counts as wishing, yes." Mamoru was telling him, surprising him with a smile. Where they mocking him?
"She didn't use physical force, did she?" The Queen asked.
"No, not at all. She even provided nutrition."
"Really? Looks like she quite took a liking in you then."
Not that I tried hard to get to that point.
"SunTzu do you know, why you are here?" Usagi asked him.
"I don't have any Idea, my Queen." He replied. "I guess it has something to do with my outburst of rage yesterday?"
Queen and King looked at each other.
"Please, we're under us, as already stated, call me Usagi. We know, you're still looking for answers regarding your past and your background."
SunTzu's eyes widdened.
"Do you have any idea, how special you are?" The Queen asked. "It's still to early for details and we don't know about all of them yet but it seems that you're going to play a major part in this war. A war that is just starting."
He twitched. Why of all people him? If he thought about who he was surrounded with, he was nothing compared to the power of the Senshi or the Jedi. Even Artemis and Luna with their ability to transform into Cats had more abilities than him right now.
"Compared to the power people around me have, it's nothing." He stated, gesturing with his hands.
"That outburst yesterday was glimpse of what you are available off. I know, that it was triggered by the wrong emotions and I can imagine you are worried now. But as of now, we have to find a way to awake that power whenever you need it and more importantly, to control it." She looked down to the floor.
"You have to become a warrior so strong, that you will not guard and protect those around you but the galaxy itself. A warrior so strong, that just your presence will inspire your comrades and make them fight stronger and more tenacious. A warrior so strong that you will storm through the enemy like a force of nature." The King explained. "We know this is a lot we demand. But trust us, it's the only way we can save this galaxy. And not only from war but annihilation."
"This war that is coming is one of the worst Conflicts to ever hit this galaxy. It pains me to say, but millions if not billions will die. Taskforce Sol's only purpose is too save as many people as we can." The Queen paused for a moment, struggling with her voice. "Unfortunately the Crystal Kingdom is not well known in the galaxy and neither well equipped enough to bring the fight to the enemy on it's own. We need supporters. Supporters and friends in high places and all over the galaxy. This means we all of us have to do our best to establish our name as a Force to be reckoned with."
"But I'm just a pilot and a soldier. What can I do on a galactic scale?" SunTzu asked her, really not knowing why she thought he was so important.
"Believe me, you, we all will proof our worth to the galaxy. And will be a long, enduring and painful way though." The Queen told further. "I was a teenager, just 14 years old, when I became Sailor Moon for the first time. We all were teenagers, SunTzu. But me , Mamo and these girls saved Earth and the whole galaxy dozens of times since then. But this time we need help. I need help. Can I count on you?"
He genuinely had to think for a moment. These girls costed him his last nerve and he almost lost his lives so often already saving them. But damn, they were worth it. They welcomed him with open arms and proofed that even when he became a deathdealing demon they stood with him.
"You can." He bowed down. "I'm at your service your majesties. Let me help you safe this galaxy."
The King and Queen both smiled and looked at each other.
"Please rise SunTzu, no need to bend a knee. We are the ones that should show our gratitude." The Queen told him and made a gesture for him to stand up.
"I know it's not much and not the answers you wanted or earned. But let me tell you this SunTzu. Ever since Mamoru and I married, I was 22 years, so six years ago and the Crystal Kingdom was founded, I wasn't able to transform into Sailor Moon anymore. My role as Guardian was over and the role of Sovereign overtook. I was tired of fighting, tired to see my future daughter, my love and my friends fight battle after battle. But a few months ago, I transformed again after a vision showing me the galaxy falling apart, burning in the fires of war. The need to fight arose again and although, from the deepest of my heart, I wish it would be different I accepted it. A kingdom of peace, a galaxy where lifeforms can prosper peacefully is well worth fighting for. I accepted my faith." She looked sad now, but there was genuine hope in her eyes.
"Our dream is a galaxy of peace, even if we have to wage war as individuals first. This is the price for a bigger cause. We're not naive about how hard it will be. But we have to achieve it or everything good in this galaxy will perish. And you will be a big part in that plan." The king continued for his wife. "So, 1st Lieutenant SunTzu, carry on doing your best. We all need you. And if you ever need someone, all of us are here for you too."
The King nodded towards him, acknowledging his work so far.
"And know try to get some rest, we're home soon and we need to be ready to strike again at any moment." The King sent him off.
"See you later SunTzu. Keep up the good work." The Queen discharged him.
"Usagi, Mamoru." He took a bow and left.
Wait, did they just promote him?
